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Wednesday, 25 May 2011

A Muse of Fire: the inspiration behind "Dancing in the Shadows of Love"

Author Tiah Beautement recently interviewed me on her blog Travelling Write Along. Tiah asked what inspired me to write this story. Here is what I answered:

There’s a Hebrew phrase “Tikkun Olam” which means ‘repairing the world’ and denotes the restoration of the right order and a true union; a correction of our spiritual selves to be made whole again. Kabbalists see a tikkun as a special healing: they experience themselves and each other as the Divine sefirot (Divine potentials; planes of God made manifest.) This act of healing connects across differences, without becoming the Other. In essence, for a person to find inner peace, there needs to be a healing (a sacred union) of the inner fractures of the soul which create dualities such as racial or gender divides (black vs white, male vs female.)

This phrase lies at the heart of my story. As an ordinary person, happy in my ordinary little life, I’ve always tried to be a “good” person. But South Africa’s tragic history, as revealed by the TRC, left me questioning so many things about myself. I came to the conclusion I just don’t have the warrior personality that wants to change the world. That made me wonder what I could have done to prevent or heal the wounds of our past.

Through the eyes of three very different women, Dancing in the Shadows of Love explores how an ordinary person, one who doesn’t have what it takes to be hero, can also find a way to repair the fractures of a broken world.

"Dancing in the Shadows of Love" is a novel of hope and mystery, examining the sacrifices people make in the pursuit of a love that transcends everyday existence. Lulu’s quest, and that of Jamila and Zahra too, is to find the divine love that will fulfill their hopes and save their souls...if they can recognise the masks of those who seek to lead them astray.

Remember to enter the LAUNCH COMPETITION for the chance to win great prizes, including a full manuscript critique or an Amazon US$100 gift voucher.

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For those of you who like to know the source of your quotes, "A Muse of Fire" comes from Shakespeare's Henry V, Prologue, 1, and reads "O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend /The brightest heaven of invention."

11 comments:

Hi Judy .. your first chapter of "Dancing in teh Shadows of Love" is an amazing read, and now the explanation above of the healing planes available to us ... if we take time to consider them - sound very thought provoking.

I like that you've brought in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission re the emergence of a new South Africa ... and the ongoing repairs that we all need to continue to make across our own connections and those around the world ... every one of us can make a difference and should be making a difference.

Very interesting and I can only wish you every success with your book .. I'm really looking forward to hosting you on your blog tour.

Fascinating and magical post. And you know what makes it more enjoyable? That I read it straight after following that link to youtube you left me in my latest column.

Many thanks, for your article and that glorious lullaby (what a voice that woman has! My God!) And to make it even more beautiful, here in London we've had one of the rainiest days ever in the last two months, but now there's a wonderful sunset decorating the horizon.

It sounds a lovely idea, Judy. I have no kindle, so shall have to wait to read it. My youngest son did his Masters thesis on the TRC, and got very caught up in the the whole thing, so I find that inspiration particularly interesting. I wish you lots and lots of sales!

MISHA: What I learnt helped me, but may not work for everyone but I do hope the story provides some insight

ROBYN: Yes, I must sell 500 e-books before I go to print! Hope your virus has gone away and you’re back to full health by now. And lots of hugs to you and Christopher! Can you read PDF on your laptop? If so go to my Smashwords page, same price US$0.99 and you can choose how to download it.

STINA: Well, it’s a different book, that’s all I can really say! South Africa is a fascinating country – so full of paradoxes!

CUBAN: *SO* glad you enjoyed the link to the youtube video – and to think she was a complete unknown before. She sang Tulah Baba so beautifully. And enjoy your sunshine! We’re sunny but freezing here!

PAUL: It’s a very layered book Paul, so glad the description of what inspired me to write it was interesting. I think Blogger’s gremlins and/or the Northern Summer is impacting on my launch competition – not many takers. But it’s still early days, so hopefully it’ll pick up soon! :)

FRANCES: Your son did his masters on TRC? How fascinating! Was it in politics? (My eldest niece is in London as a political analyst - soon she's moving to Singapore) My story isn't overtly political or South African - I tried to lift prejudice and the other themes onto a universal level. (Having read The Nature of Prejudice by Gordon Allport, which is an amazing book!) Thanks - I need 500 eBook sales and then I go to print! :)

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